Apparatus for breaking material



March 2l, i939. v w. NOBLE APPARATUS FOR BREAKING MATERIAL etl Filed July 50, 1955 5 Sheets-Se @Qa mw Wsw@ ll. l l I l I l I l I F l l l l I Il mw mm n March 21, w39. W. NOBLE 2,151,328

APPARATUS FOR BREAKING MATERIAL Filed July 30, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 zy/anion' l Za fren Noie y lu# ,4f/4mm March 21,*193Q. 4 w. NOBLE 2,151,328

APPARATUS FOR BREAKING MATERIAL Filed July 50, 1935 s sheets-sheet s MM f Y 57W )fC/f :lign-2h Q 2 /gff Il;Y V ya) r l/ 5 JMU] NIWi "Inl" Q geve/mo?? gamvenjoge Patented Mar. 21, 1939 PATET APPARATUS FOR BREAKING MATERIAL Warren Noble, Guilford, N. Y., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 30, 1935, Serial No. 33,876

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for drilling and breaking down material, and more particularly to an improved combined drilling and material-breaking apparatus for drilling a hole in the material to be broken and thereafter discharging a material-breaking medium into the drill hole for breaking down the material.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for drilling and breaking down material in a mine. Another object is to provide an improved combined drilling and material-breaking apparatus for drilling a hole in a mine wall and thereafter without removing the drilling implement from the drill hole, discharging a material-breaking medium into the hole to break down the material. These and other objects of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the following description, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is Shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice. In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the illustrative embodiment of the improved drilling and material-breaking apparatus,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View in longitudinal section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken through one of the rollers for driving and feeding the drill stem,

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 1,

Figs. 7 and 8 are somewhat diagrammatic views, showing the drill stem driving and feeding means in different positions.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, there is shown a combined drilling and material-breaking apparatus generally comprising a portable base I, a drilling implement 2, material-breaking means 3, and an adjustable supporting structure generally designated 4, for supporting and positioning the drilling implement and material-breaking means with respect to the material to be drilled and broken down. The portable base I comprises a frame 5; supported and propelled by tractor treads 6 driven and controlled in any suitable manner. Mounted on the base frame 5 substantially centrally (Cl. BSZ-8) thereof is an upstanding column l having supported thereon in telescopic relation therewith a cylindrical shell 8, herein in the form of a cylinder, by which the drilling and material-breaking means is adjustably supported. As illustrat- 5 ed, secured to the upper end of the column 'I is a piston contained in the bore of the cylindrical shell 8, and cooperating with the latter for providing a cylinder and piston adjusting means for varying the elevation of the drilling and ma- 1Q terial-breaking means. For supplying hydraulic pressure to the bore of the cylindrical shell 8 above the piston for moving the shell vertically relative to the column is a pump I driven by a motor II for supplying liquid pressure from 15 a liquid reservoir I2 formed in the column, through a pipe connection I3 to the shell bo-re at the upper side of the piston 9 in the manner shown in Fig. 6. Swivelly mounted in a socket I4, formed within the upper portion of the cylindrical shell 8, is a trunnion I5 by which is supported the frame I6 of the drilling: and material-breaking means. Also supported by the shell 8 are hydraulic cylinders Il connected by hose connections I8, controlled by a Valve I9, to the pump I0, and these cylinders contain pistons connected by links 20 to a depending portion of the drill frame. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one or the other of these cylinders the drilling and material breaking means may be swung vertically by power in either direction about the swivel axis. A clamp 2l is provided for locking the cylindrical shell S against rotary motion with respect to the column l for holding the drilling and material-breaking means in its diierent positions of angular adjustment about the column axis, and this clamp is provided with a. spring applied, hydraulically released piston operating means 22, of a usual design, connected by a hose 2S, under the control 0 of a valve 2li, to the pump. The trunnion I5 is adapted to be clamped in position within its swivel socket by means of a plurality of operating means 25, 25 similar to the operating means 22. Each of the operating means 25 has an operating rod 26 connected to an annular retaining and clamping ring 2 for holding the trunnion I5 Within its socket, and when hydraulic pressure is vented from these operating means the spring means thereof act to move the retaining ring 2'I into a position frictionally to clamp the trunnion I5 against movement within its socket. Obviously the valves and piping for the various hydraulic devices may assume various forms, such as four-way valves controlling communication between the supply connection for the pump and a discharge line tothe yreservoir and connections to the cylinders; and suitably loaded luy-passes to discharge can be used,

as usual. From the foregoing itr will be evident that the drilling and material-breaking means may be moved into different elevations,

` drilling means, it will be noted that rotatably mounted on the frame I6 isa tubular drill stem r28 carrying at its inner end a drilling implement 29, herein a drill bit of a usual design, forr boring a hole in the mine ywall to receive the drill stem,

, and formed externally on the drill stem is a spiralvane 30 so formed as to convey the cuttings created by the drilling' implement during drilling, f from the drill hole. 25

The means for rotating and feeding the drill stem 28 comprises a motor 3| mounted on the drill'frame I6 and having yfixed to itsk power shaft a'worm 32 meshing with a fao worm wheel 33 fixed to a'longitudinal shaft 34, herein arranged parallel'with'the drill stemiand journaled inbearings 35, 35 in the drill frame i6.y Connected to the shaft 34 through universal mountings, to be later described, is a series of rollers 36 having rubber treads 31 frictionally engaging the exterior periphery of the drill stem 28. When the shaft 34 is rotatedr by the motor 3l and therollers are positioned at rightangles to the drill stem axis with their axes in yalinement and'parallel with the drill stem axis, as shown in Fig. 3, the drill stem isrotated without axial motion. When the rollers are tilted in one direction or the other toY change their angular relation with respect to the drill stem, as shown in Figs. '1 and 8, the drill stem may be fed axially in one direction or the other While the same continuously rotates. By changing the angular relation of the drive rollers with respect to the drill stem, the rate of feed may, of course, be varied, The rollers are connected by trunnion pins 38 to a ring 39, the trunnion pins seatingin bearing recesses 4U formed in the ring. This ring is connected by a pin 4l arranged at right angles to the trunnion pin axes, to the drive shaft 34, the parts thus forming a universal drive connection between the shaft 34 and the rollers. The means for shifting the rollers to change their angular relation with respect to the drill stem, comprises yoke-like elements 42 guided on theV frame I 6, and which support sleeves 43 carrying bearings 44 on which the rollers are journaled. These yoke-shaped members 42 are iiXed to rods 45 journaled in the drill frame I6, and in turn having xed thereto lever or crank arms 46. Interposed between the drill frame and the members 42, and encircling the rods 45, are coiled springs 41 for yieldingly urging the rollers into frictional contact with the drill stem. The series of levers 46 are pivotally connected to a common operating rod 48 having an operating lever 49. Any suitable lock means may be provided for the operating lever 49 for holding the latter in its different positions of adjustment. In the present instance, secured to the forward end of the drill frame I6 is a shield or guard plate 50 having an opening 5| through which the drill stem passes, and. this guard plate prevents the flying of the material during the breaking-down operation,

outwardly toward the machine, thereby to protect the operator. In certain instances this guard plate may be placed directly against the working face during the drilling and breaking-down 0perations.

The improved material-breaking means associated with the drilling means comprises a pressure receiving means embodied in they drill stem, together with means mounted on the `drill stem 'for supplying high pressure air to the receiving means whereby when 'the hole is drilled in the kmine Wall the air charge may be released from the receiving means to break down the material.

It will `be evident that various means might be employed to deliver a breaking down pressure to the drill hole. In this instance, formed within the forward portion of the drill stem 28 is a chamber 53 for receiving a charge of high pressure'air, while extending centrally through this chamber is an'air-conductingr tube 54 connected to a source of highpressure air in a manner to its inner end within the bore756 at the outer side of the valve 59 with respect to the chamber 53,

- f and the yvalve 53 has secured thereto a piston 60 The piston 68' carrying cup leathersy 6I and y(52. has an axial opening 53, While the valve 59 has an alined opening 54, and they tube 54 extends through these openings into the borey 56. The cup leather 6 I tightly embraces the tube 54, while the cup leather 62 tightly engages the walls of the bore 56 to prevent leakage of compressed air from the bore past the piston. The cup leather 6I acts as a check'valve for controlling the iiow of compressed air from the bore 56 to the chamber 53 v/hile preventing reverse flow of air from the chamber to the bore. Formed in the drill stem near the inner end thereof for connecting the bore 5B to the stem exterior are discharge passages 65. In this instance, the outer end of the chamber 53 is closed by a suitable plug 66 within which the outer end of the tube 54 is secured as by a suitable gland plug 61.

The means for supplying compressed air under relatively high pressure to the air chamber 53 comprises a compressor unit 10 mounted on the outer extremity of the drill stem 28 for rotary and axial movementstherewith and embodying a, driving motor 1i and a suitable cooling coil 12 encircling the compressor'unit casing for cooling the compressed air as it is discharged from the compressor. This compressor and its driving motor may be of any suitable design. The cooling coil is connected through a conduit 13 extending withinrthe drill stem into connection with the tuber54 of the air receiving means. During the drilling operation the compressor 10 operates to supply high pressure air through the conduit 13 to the tube 54, the compressed air iiowing from the tube 54 to the bore 56. The pressure in the bore 55 acts on the piston 60 to hold the valve 59 tightly against its seat 58, thereby cutting off communication of the passages 65 with the chamber 53 during charging of the latter. The compressed air flows from the bore 5B past the cup packing 6l alongA the exterior periphery ofthe tube 54, through theopenings 63, 64 in the piston and valve to the pressure chamber 53. When the drilling operation has been completed and a, predetermined breaking pressure vis attained in the chamber 53,v the supply of compressedair is cut off and the conduit 13 vented to atmosphere in any suitable manner. This may be accomplished by the use of a three-way valve of a usual design. r T he pressure in the bore 56 at the inner side of the piston 6U is thereby suddenly reduced, and as a result the highly compressed air in the chamber 53 causes the piston 50 to move suddenly inwardly into its open position, thereby opening communication of the discharge passages 65 with the chamber 53, and as a result the breaking down charge is suddenly released from the chamber 53 through the large axial opening 57 an'd through the bore 56 and the discharge passages 65, this sudden release of the charge of compressed air acting on the mine wall with an expansive action to break down the material.

The general mode of operation of the improved drilling and material-breaking apparatus is as follows. The apparatus is propelled about the mine by the tractor treads 6 and when the working place is reached hydraulic pressure may be supplied from the pump lll to the shell bore at the upper side of the piston 9 to move the shell 8 vertically with respect to the column l to move the drilling and material-breaking means to the desired elevation. Hydraulic pressure may be supplied to the operating means 22 for the clamp 2i under the control of the valve 24 to effect clamp release, thereby enabling the cylindrical shell 8 to be moved about the column axis to vary the horizontal angular position oi the drilling and material-breaking means, the clamp 2| thereafter being applied to hold the shell against rotary motion with respect to the column. The operating means 25, 25 for the swivel clamp may be hydraulically released in a similar manner, and the drilling and material-breaking means swung vertically into the desired angular position by the hydraulic cylinders Il, the retaining ring 21 thereafter being adjusted to hold the trunnion against movement in its socket. When the drill stem has been adjusted into the desired position with respect to the material to be broken, the motor 3l is started, and the operator adjusts the driving rollers 35 into the position shown in Fig. .7 to eiect rotation and forward axial motion of the drill stem. As the drill stem is fed forwardly and at the same time rotated, the drilling implement acts to bore a hole into the material to be broken. When the motor 3| is started to effect drilling, the motor H of the compressor unit 'l is at the same time started so that during the drilling operation the compressor unit operates to supply high pressure air to the chamber 53 of the air receiving means. When the hole in the mine wall is being drilled to the desired depth, breaking down pressure is being built up within the chamber 53 and upon completion of the drill hole this highly compressed air is released into the drill hole to effect breaking down of the material. After the completion of the drilling and breaking down operations, the drill stem may be fed rearwardly by moving the drive rollers into the reverse feed position shown in Fig. 8.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved apparatus is provided whereby the drilling and breaking down of a working face maybe accomplished in an extremely rapid manner. It will furtherbe noted that an improved combined drilling and material-breaking apparatus is provided whereby a hole may be drilled in the material to be broken and thereafter without removing the drilling implement from the hole a charge of material-breaking medium may be discharged into the drill hole to break down the material. It will further be evident that by providing an air-compressing means which operates to supply air to the air receiving means during the drilling operation, the drilling and breaking down functions may be elected in rapid succession. Further, by combining the drilling and material-breaking means in a single apparatus, the time consumed in the drilling and breaking down of the material is not only substantially reduced but the expense necessitated by the use of separate pieces of equipment is greatly reduced. These and other uses and advantages of the improved drilling and materialbreaking apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a drilling implement for drilling a hole in the material to be broken, a drill stem for operating said implement, a chamber formed in said drill stem for receiving a charge of expansible pressure uid at material-breaking pressure, and associated means operative while the drilling implement remains in the hole drilled thereby, for discharging the pressure fluid into the drill hole to break down the material by the expansive action of the fluid thereon.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a drilling implement for drilling a hole in the material to be broken, a drill stem for operating said implement, a chamber formed in said drill stem for receiving a charge of compressed air at material-breaking pressure, a' compressor unit for supplying air under relatively high pressure to said charge-receiving chamber, and associated means operative while the drilling implement remains in the hole drilled thereby for discharging the pressure from said chamber into the drill hole to break down the material by the expansive action of the air pressure thereon.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a. tubular drill member adapted to drill a hole in the material to be broken, means embodied in said member for receiving a charge of expansible material-breaking fluid, and means for releasing said charge when said member is in materialbreaking position in the drill hole and subsequent to the drilling operation for breaking down the material by the expansive action of the fluid thereon.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a, drill member adapted to drill a hole in the material to be broken, means embodied in said member for receiving a charge of material-breaking medium, means for supplying materialbreaking medium to said charge-receiving means during the drilling operation, and means for releasing the charge from said receiving means wheny said drill member is in material-breaking position in the drill hole and subsequent to the drilling operation. Y

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a drilling implement,V means for operating the same, means associated with said drilling implement for receiving a charge of material-breaking medium, means for supplying a material-breaking medium to said charge-receiving means during the drilling operation, and means for releasing said charge from said receiving means into the drill hole subsequent to the drilling operation and While said drilling implement remains in said drill hole.

WARREN NOBLE. 

